Tex-Mex Plant-Based Protein Pasta Bake
with Mexican Cheese Blend, Green Pepper & Scallions
- Wheat
- Milk
Dinner comes together in a snap thanks to this throw-it-all-together Southwestern-spiced pasta bake that stars hearty, spicy plant-based protein. A blend of Mexican-style cheeses melts together with cream cheese for a velvety sauce that clings perfectly to twisty cavatappi, creating a hearty, gooey landing for a topping of Monterey Jack (that’s right, even more cheese—don’t say we didn’t warn you!) and a crisp, zingy sprinkle of scallion greens.
Ingredients
6 ounce
Cavatappi Pasta
(Contains: Wheat)
1 unit
Long Green Pepper
2 unit
Scallions
8 ounce
Tex-Mex Ground Plant-Based Protein
2 tablespoon
Cream Cheese
(Contains: Milk)
½ cup
Mexican Cheese Blend
(Contains: Milk)
¼ cup
Monterey Jack Cheese
(Contains: Milk)
Not included in your delivery
Salt
Cooking Oil
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
• Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. • Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water (2 cups for 4 servings), then drain.
• While pasta cooks, core and dice green pepper into 1⁄2-inch pieces. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens.
• Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add green pepper and scallion whites; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 3-4 minutes. • Add plant-based protein and cook, stirring, until veggies are browned, 2-3 minutes more. TIP: If plant-based protein starts popping, cover pan with a lid.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer plant- based protein mixture to a large bowl. Add cream cheese, Mexican cheese blend, and 1⁄4 cup reserved pasta cooking water (1⁄2 cup for 4 servings); toss to combine. • Add drained cavatappi to bowl; toss to evenly coat. TIP: If needed, stir in more pasta cooking water a splash at a time until everything is coated in a creamy sauce.
• Transfer pasta mixture to an 8-by-8- inch baking dish (9-by-13-inch baking dish for 4 servings); evenly sprinkle with Monterey Jack. • Bake on top rack until cheese melts and sauce is bubbling, 3-5 minutes.
• Top pasta bake with scallion greens. Divide between plates or serve family style directly from dish.
Plant-based protein is fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 165º.
